US urges Jonathan, others to deliver dividends of democracy

Now that the general elections are over, President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and all other elected public officers must shift their attention to delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, the United States has admonished.

“The hard part begins now. You’ve been through the elections the hard part of governance starts officially on May 29 when Mr. President gets sworn in,” the US said through its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrace McCulley, on Monday.


The advise came just as the United Nations pointed out that the successful conduct of the April elections offered hope for the rest of Africa.

McCulley, who visited the headquarters of the National Youth Service Scheme in Abuja, said he hoped that the “experiences” of the members of the NYSC during the polls would serve as an impetous to the elected public offers to deliver on their electioneering promises.

He said, “My hope is that the experiences that the members of the NYSC had throughout this period will carry them through.

“Democracy is about elections certainly but it’s also about bridging the gap between the government and the governed. Its about credibility, it’s about transparency.”

The ambassador, therefore, reminded the electorate that it was their duty to hold their leaders accountable for their actions in office.

“As citizens, you have an obligation to demand transparency, credibility and accountability from your government and I hope you will do so,” the envoy said.

McCulley expressed confidence that Nigeria had a bright future with its impressive population of patriotic youths participating in the conduct of the elections.

He condoled with the families of the NYSC members that died during the post-election violence in some northern states, saying, “As tragic as those deaths were, the NYSC as a body, distinguished itself.”

The ambassador said, “Let me start by offering my condolences for the terrible losses that you suffered after April 16 following the violence that followed the Presidential elections.

“Accept the condolences of the American people and government.

“As tragic as those deaths were, the NYSC as a body distinguished itself. Through out the month of April and before I had the honour to meet with about 100 corps members, I was deeply impressed by their patriotism, by their commitment to their country.”

“You just finished what is without question the most historic election in Nigeria’s history certainly; the freest, fairest and most credible and transparent elections since June 12, 1993.”

He expressed the hope that the US and Nigeria would find other ways to improve on areas of collaboration.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.- Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, said the body was grateful for the show of solidarity from within and outside Nigeria.

He said corps members would continue to offer their best to ensure that Nigeria remained united.

Tsiga said the corps members did so well that many African countries had started sending in teams to the NYSC to under study and replicate the scheme.

Also in Abuja on Monday, the Secretary- General of the UN , Ban Ki-Moon, said the success of the general elections was a testimony to Nigeria’s maturity.

Ban, who met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odien Ajumogobia (SAN) and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said he believed that the outcome of the elections offered hope for the rest of Africa.

He said, “I want to congratulate Nigerians and President Goodluck Jonathan for the successful elections. It shows the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.

“All international monitoring groups have witnessed that this election was conducted in a transparent and credible manner.

“I sincerely hope that this would be a very good momentum to further build upon this successful election’s.

He also commended Nigeria for its mediation roles in Africa especially within the West African sub-region. Ban added that Nigeria was the forth largest contributor of troops to police and military peace keeping missions in the world.

On the planned expansion of the UN Security Council, the Secretary-General said member states were in agreement on the need to expand the council.

This, according to him, was because of changes across the world since the first and second world wars.

Ajumogobia, had earlier said the tenure of the UN chief ensured that issue of development received the desired attention.

He assured him of Nigeria’s continued contributions towards the peace and security of the World.

At a private meeting with Jega, on Sunday, the UN chief appealed to political parties who were not satisfied with the outcome of the elections to seek redress through the judicial system.

A statement by Jega’s Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, on Monday, quoted Ban as saying: “Whatever the complaints or allegations have been received should be thoroughly and transparently processed through the judicial system. This is very much important.

“But what is important is that there needs to be some firm belief among the people that democracy and all its principles come from ballot boxes, not from violence on the streets. This is what we have to educate the people about.”

He expressed regret over the violence that trailed the polls and also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.

While enjoining INEC to step up civic education, he told Jega, “I know that there is cultural unity, but national unity is important for your country.”

Jega reassured that INEC was committed to creating a sustainable basis for genuine democracy in the country.

The INEC chairman said, “We have done our best as a commission to be non-partisan, impartial and to create a level playing field for all contestants.

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